PL+S 2016: Allen & Heath expands Qu mixer range

Allen & Heath has added the Qu-SB ultra-compact intelligent mixer/interface to its Qu range of compact digital mixing systems, to be shown for the first time at Prolight + Sound.

The Qu-SB is designed as a Stage Box solution with all the features of the Qu series but for tablet control, which frees the user to mix from anywhere in the venue. It is a freestanding or rackmount surface-less mixer for music venues, project studios, schools and corporate events.

It has 16 XLR mic inputs, two line inputs and 14 outputs but can be expanded up to 32 mic input channels and 24 outputs due to the Qu-32 core inside, enabling the mixer to connect over a single Cat5 digital snake to AB168, AR84 and AR2412 remote audio racks.

Having eliminated the on deck user interface, all Qu-SB control parameters are provided via an iOS tablet app. Additionally, user permissions can be set up to block the operator’s access to critical settings.

“These days, engineers and musicians are less dependent on physical mixing surfaces. They are digital natives looking for ultra-portable solutions and they want to operate with the familiar interface of a touch tablet,” explained Allen & Heath product manager, Nicola Beretta. “Qu-SB is the perfect answer to this demand, whilst still maintaining the premium audio quality and performance Allen & Heath mixers are known for.”

The built-in 18-channel Qu-Drive can record and playback multitrack and stereo audio .wav files to a USB key or drive. This gives the convenience of computer-free recording in live and field applications. Qu-SB’s 32×32, Windows and Mac compliant USB streaming interface also makes it suited to tracking, monitoring and overdubbing in the studio.